Manuscripts by Subject - Groups / Organizations - #10131

Title:Harry E. Polk Papers

Dates: 1948-1972

Collection Number: 10131

Quantity: 14 feet Abstract: Includes personal correspondence and files dealing with Williston Band Day, the Williston Herald, the North Dakota Press Association, the American Legion, records of the National Reclamation Association, records of Harry E. Polk, Inc., photographs, and printed materials.

Provenance: The Harry E. Polk Papers were donated to the State Historical Society of North Dakotaby his wife Mrs. Harry E. Polk and their son Leslie D. Polk in August 1974.

Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.

Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnotes and bibliographic references.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Harry E. Polk was born on a farm near Thornton, Indiana June 15, 1887. He attended high school in Illinois and studied Journalism at the University of Missouri, earned a two year teaching certificate at Valley City (ND) Normal School, and graduated in 1917 from the University of North Dakota. In August 1919 he was married to Phyllis Stuart in Minnewaukan, ND. They had three children: J. Stuart Polk (publisher of the Plentywood (MT) Herald), Leslie D. Polk of Eau Claire, WI, and Donna Eileen (Mrs. Jimmie Wilson) of Trout Creek, MT, and 14 grandchildren.

Harry E. Polk enlisted in the Army during World War I, directed the Army Band at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, IA, and was discharged in 1919.

He was Superintendent of Schools in Willow City, Bowbells, and Williston, ND; managed a weekly Nonpartisan League newspaper in Minnewaukan, ND; and was editor and later owner of the Williston Daily Herald. Polk served as chairman of the ND Press Association for 18 years, and edited Since 1887 Days, in celebration of Williston’s 75th Anniversary. Polk was inducted into the North Dakota Press Hall of Fame in 1974. Polk also served as state commander of the American Legion.

Polk was Director of the Upper Missouri Band and helped initiate Williston Band Day. Polk was a member of the Hoover Commission. For 16 years he was ND state director of the National Reclamation Association. He served as President of the National Reclamation Association from 1947-1951 and worked for years on irrigation, land use, and reclamation issues. He was deeply involved in the controversial Garrison Dam project.

Henry E. Polk died in Williston, ND on November 6, 1971.
Sources: Williston Daily Herald Nov. 6, 1971, and a letter from Leslie D. Polk to the Superintendent of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, June 19, 1974.